Detectives from Tuggerah Lakes Police District say they've dismantled a large-scale drug supply network, after nine people were arrested and charged with over 320 offences during an operation across the Central Coast on Thursday.
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In March 2019, detectives from Tuggerah Lakes Drug and Anti-Theft Unit established Strike Force Lamprey to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs on the Central Coast. The investigation focused on the ongoing supply of methylamphetamine - commonly called ice - as well as cocaine and cannabis.
Police will allege that members of the Bandidos and Rebel's outlaw motorcycle gangs were directly involved in the ongoing supply.
Police executed nine search warrants at in The Entrance, Berkeley Vale, Long Jetty, Springfield and Bateau Bay around 7am yesterday following extensive inquiries by officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District, with assistance from officers from Brisbane Water Police District, Strike Force Raptor and the Public Order Riot Squad.
During these search warrants, police located and seized ice, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, weapons, ammunition and cash.
As a result, police laid a total of 329 charges and arrested nine people - all aged between 37 and 56.
A 37-year-old woman was arrested at an address on Shannon Parade, Berkeley Vale. She was charged with 136 offences, including supply prohibited drugs, supply on an ongoing basis and participate in a criminal group. She was refused bail to face Wyong Local Court on Friday.
A 42-year-old man was arrested at an address on Ashton Avenue, The Entrance. He was charged with 58 counts of supply prohibited drug and one count of participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to face Wyong Local Court Friday.
A 45-year-old man was arrested at an address on Manning Road, The Entrance. He was charged with 46 offences, including supply prohibited drugs, supply on an ongoing basis, possess prohibited drug and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to face Wyong Local Court Friday.
A 56-year-old man was arrested at an address on Cary Crescent, Springfield. He was charged with one count of direct criminal group, one count of supply commercial quantity prohibited drug, eight counts of supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited weapon. He was refused bail to face Gosford Local Court Friday.
A 49-year-old man was arrested at an address on Manning Road, The Entrance. He was charged with seven counts of supply prohibited drug and one count of participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to face Wyong Local Court on Thursday, October 10.
A 45-year-old man was arrested at an address on Tuggerah Parade, The Entrance. He was charged with 33 offences, including supply prohibited drugs, supply on an ongoing basis and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail to face Wyong Local Court on Thursday, October 10.
A 45-year-old woman was arrested at an address on Manning Road, The Entrance. She was charged with six counts of supply prohibited drug, one count of possess prohibited drug and one count of participate in a criminal group. She was granted conditional bail to face Wyong Local Court on Wednesday, September 18.
A 37-year-old woman was arrested at a property on Debra Anne Drive, Bateau Bay. She was charged with six counts of supply prohibited drug and four counts of possess prohibited drug.
During the operation, a 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with 17 counts of supply prohibited drug and four counts of possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail to face Gosford Local Court Friday.
Tuggerah Lakes Police District Commander, Superintendent John Gralton said today's arrests are the culmination of six-months of hard work and dedication from detectives.
"These arrests affectively dismantle a number of large-scale drug supply networks on the Central Coast.
"The drug 'ice' is an insidious drug that ruins people's lives and destroys families. We aim to disrupt these criminals at all levels and we will be relentless in our pursuit of drug dealers. More arrests will follow," Supt Gralton said.
"As a community, we need to work together to dob in a dealer. If you have any information which could assist police, please call Crime Stoppers," Supt Gralton said.
Investigations under Strike Force Lamprey are continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or its online reporting page.
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